Metabolism of 2S-hydroxy-3-methylcholanthrene by rat liver microsomes

Products formed in the metabolism of 2S-hydroxy-3-methylcholanthrene (2S-OH-3MC) by liver microsomes prepared from phenobarbital-treated rats were isolated by sequential use of reversed-phase and normal-phase HPLC. Metabolites of 2S-OH-3MC were characterized by UV-visible absorption, mass and circular dichroic spectra, and chiral stationary phase HPLC analyses. The metabolites that had been identified were 2S-hydroxy-3-hydroxymethylcholanthrene (2S-OH-3-OHMC), 3MC-2-one, 3MC-2-one 9,10-dihydrodiol, 8-hydroxy-2S-OH-3MC, a pair of stereoisomers 3MC (trans)-1R,2R-diol and (cis)-1S,2R-diol in a ratio of approximately 11:89, a pair of diastereomers 2S-OH-3MC 9R,10R-dihydrodiol and 2S-OH-3MC 9S,10S-dihydrodiol in a ratio of approximately 9:1, and a pair of diastereomers 2S-OH-3MC 11R,12R-dihydrodiol and 2S-OH-3MC 11S,12S-dihydrodiol in a ratio of approximately 77:23. A few tentatively identified minor metabolites were 3-OHMC trans-1R,2R-diol, 10-hydroxy-2S-OH-3MC, a 9,10-dihydrodiol derived from 3MC cis-1S,2R-diol, and a 11,12-dihydrodiol and two diastereomeric 9,10-dihydrodiols derived from 2S-OH-3-OHMC. Since the racemic 2-OH-3MC is a known potent carcinogen and 2S-OH-3MC is the most abundant metabolite of 3MC, some of the 2S-OH-3MC metabolites identified in this study may be further converted to proximate and ultimate carcinogens which may contribute to the overall carcinogenicity exhibited by 3MC.

Age-, tissue-, and Ah genotype-dependent differences in the binding of 3-methylcholanthrene and its metabolite(s) to mouse DNA

The induction of transplacental carcinogenesis by 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) in mice is determined, in part, by the genotype at the Ah locus. The relationship of Ah genotype and MC-induced DNA adducts was tested by comparing the response of pregnant and fetal C57BL/6 mice (Ahb Ahb; responsive to the induction of MC metabolism) and DBA/2mice (Ahd Ahd; nonresponsive). On day 17 of gestation (day 1 = presence of vaginal plug), C57BL/6 mice were treated i.p. with 100 mg/kg MC and DBA/2 mice with 30 mg/kg. Mice were sacrificed 24 h later and the tissues were analyzed for the presence of DNA adducts using the P1 nuclease version of the 32P-postlabeling method. With a 3.3-fold difference in administered dose, the total adduct levels in fetal DNA were (a) similar in both strains with the exception of liver, for which C57BL/6 mice had more adducts; (b) higher in the lung than skin, liver, or thymus; and (c) only 1/4 to 1/14 of the adult levels. Maternal DBA/2DNA contained more adducts in the thoracic lymph nodes and liver but fewer in the placenta and lung, compared to maternal C57BL/6 DNA. More adducts were detected in lung DNA than liver DNA in C57BL/6 mice. In contrast, these levels were similar in DBA/2 mice. When the difference in dose administered was considered in conjunction with this, less MC bound to DNA of C57BL/6 than DBA/2 mice overall. To identify adducts, oxidized metabolites of MC, 1-hydroxy-, 2-hydroxy-, 9,10-dihydrodiol-, or 3-methoxymethyl-MC, were topically applied to the dorsal skin of both strains. All of these metabolites produced adducts. Approximately 14 different adduct spots were detected. The two most abundant adducts were produced by 1-hydroxy-, 2-hydroxy-, and 9,10-dihydrodiol-MC. One of these also contained a 3-hydroxymethyl group. Several adducts did not contain the 9,10-dihydroxy group. The adducts derived from 3-methoxymethyl-MC were consistently found in greater abundance in DNA from C57BL/6 tissues, compared with DBA/2. Thus, oxidation of the 3-methyl group may be enhanced by Ah-dependent induction of MC metabolism. Together, these results suggest that the individual and total adduct levels are influenced by the genotype at the Ah locus, the route of administration, and the metabolite(s) with tissue and age specificity.

Metabolism of the potent carcinogen 3-methylcholanthrylene by rat liver microsomes

The products formed in the metabolism of 3-methylcholanthrylene (3MCE), either in the presence or in the absence of an epoxide hydrolase inhibitor, 3,3,3-trichloropropylene 1,2-oxide (TCPO), with an NADPH-regenerating system and liver microsomes from 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC)-treated male Sprague-Dawley rats were separated by reversed-phase and normal-phase HPLC. The metabolites were characterized by UV-visible absorption spectral analysis, and by comparing their retention times on reversed-phase and normal-phase HPLC with authentic 3MC derivatives whenever available. In addition to 3MC trans-1,2-diol, 3MC-1-one, and 3MC-2-one reported earlier by other investigators, 3-hydroxymethylcholanthrylene (3-OHMCE), 3-OHMCE trans-11,12-dihydrodiol, 3MCE trans-11,12-dihydrodiol, 3MCE trans-9, 10-dihydrodiol. 9- and 10-hydroxy-3MCE. 3MC-2-one trans-9,10-dihydrodiol, and a chemically unstable 3MCE 1,2-epoxide were identified as metabolites of 3MCE. 3MC cis-1,2-diol, a previously reported metabolite of 3MCE, was not detectable. In the presence of TCPO, metabolites that have been identified include 3-OHMCE, 3-OHMCE 11,12-epoxide. 3MCE 11,12-epoxide, 3MC-2-one, 3MC-1-one, 9-hydroxy-3MCE, 10-hydroxy-3MCE, and an unstable metabolic intermediate 3MCE 1,2-epoxide. The results suggest that 3MCE 1,2-epoxide, 3MCE 9,10-diol-7,8-epoxide, and 3MC-2-one 9,10-diol-7,8-epoxide may be involved in the metabolic activation of 3MCE to carcinogenic form.

1-Hydroxy- and 2-hydroxy-3-methylcholanthrene: regioselective and stereoselective formations in the metabolism of 3-methylcholanthrene and enantioselective disposition in rat liver microsomes

Absolute configurations of enantiomeric 1-hydroxy-3-methylcholanthrene (1-OH-3MC) and 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-cholanthrene (2-OH-3MC) were determined by the exciton chirality circular dichroism (CD) method as their p-nitrobenzoate derivatives. Enantiomers of 1-OH-3MC were resolved by HPLC using a column packed with chiral stationary phase (CSP) (R)-N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)phenylglycine covalently bonded to gamma-aminopropylsilanized silica. Enantiomers of 2-OH-3MC were resolved as diastereomeric (-)-methoxyacetates by normal-phase HPLC. 1-OH-3MC and 2-OH-3MC, formed in the metabolism of 3MC by liver microsomes from untreated, phenobarbital (PB)-treated and 3MC-treated male Sprague-Dawley rats, were first isolated as a mixture by reversed-phase HPLC and subsequently separated by normal-phase HPLC. Concentration ratios of [1-OH-3MC]:[2-OH-3MC] formed in the metabolism of 3MC by three rat liver microsomal preparations (at 0.5 mg protein per ml of incubation mixture and an incubation time of 10 min) were found to be: 30:70 (control), 21:79 (PB treated) and 10:90 (3MC treated) respectively. R/S enantiomer ratios of 1-OH-3MC formed in the metabolism of 3MC by three rat liver microsomal preparations were determined by CSP HPLC: 35:65 (control), 39:61 (PB treated) and 46:54 (3MC treated) respectively. R/S enantiomer ratios of 2-OH-3MC formed in the metabolism of 3MC by three rat liver microsomal preparations were determined by CD spectral data: 14:86 (control), 6:94 (PB treated) and 6:94 (3MC treated) respectively. Metabolism of racemic 1-OH-3MC and 2-OH-3MC by all three rat liver microsomal preparations was found to be substrate enantioselective; the rate of 1S-OH-3MC metabolism was faster than that of 1R-OH-3MC, whereas the rate of 2R-OH-3MC metabolism was faster than that of 2S-OH-3MC.

9,10-Dihydroxy-9,10-dihydro-3-methylcholanthrene-2-one: a principal metabolite of the potent carcinogen 3-methylcholanthrene-2-one by rat liver microsomes

A principal metabolite, formed in the metabolism of the potent carcinogen 3-methylcholanthrene-2-one (3MC-2-one) by liver microsomes from either untreated, or phenobarbital-treated or 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC)-treated rats, was isolated by reversed-phase HPLC. This metabolite has been identified as a 9,10-dihydrodiol with a (9R,10R):(9S,10S) enantiomer ratio of approximately 84:16 by all three rat liver microsomal preparations. The 9,10-dihydrodiol metabolite and its NaBH4 reduction products [a pair of diastereomeric 9,10-dihydroxy-9, 10-dihydro-2-OH-3MC (2-OH-3MC 9,10-dihydrodiols)] were characterized by UV-visible absorption, mass, and circular dichroic spectral, and chiral stationary phase HPLC analyses. Identification of 9,10-dihydroxy-9,10-dihydro-3MC-2-one (3MC-2-one 9,10-dihydrodiol) as the predominant metabolite of the potent carcinogen 3MC-2-one suggests that 3MC-2-one may be metabolically activated to a bay region 9,10-diol-7,8-epoxide, similar to the previously established metabolic activation pathways of 3MC and 1-hydroxy-3-methylcholanthrene (1-OH-3MC).

3-Methylcholanthrene induces differential inhibition of humoral and cell mediated immune responses in mice of different ages

C57B1/6 mice aged 2-3 and 13-14 months were treated i.p. with 3-methylcholanthrene. A single dose of 25 mg/kg reduced primary antibody production to the T-dependent antigen sheep red blood cells by 20% in mice aged 2-3 months and by 90% in 13-14-month-old animals. The same treatment did not reduce antibody production to the T-independent antigen pneumococcal polysaccharide type III in young mice, but reduced this response by 50% in 13-14-month-old animals. Blastogenesis to concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin and alloantigens, that is mediated by T lymphocytes, was consistently reduced in young animals but only marginally affected, when at all, in 13-14-month-old mice. Blastogenesis to lipopolysaccharide, mediated by B lymphocytes, was reduced in mice of both ages, though in older mice it was affected later than in younger animals. Addition of 3-methylcholanthrene in vitro increased T lymphocyte responses equally in mice of both ages and did not modify B lymphocyte proliferation. Results presented here show that older mice are not necessarily more susceptible to all types of immunosuppression induced by a xenobiotic like 3-methylcholanthrene and that the sensitivity of the different facets of the immune response can change with aging.

Dexamethasone-mediated potentiation of P450IA1 induction in H4IIEC3/T hepatoma cells is dependent on a time-consuming process and associated with induction of the Ah receptor

The synergistic effect of dexamethasone (DEX) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on the induction of cytochrome P450IA1 (P450IA1) was examined in H4IIEC3/T Reuber hepatoma cells. P450IA1 activity was determined by the hydroxylation of benzo[a]pyrene (AHH) and deethylation of 7-ethoxyresorufin (EROD). The amount of Ah receptor, i.e. the specific cytosolic binding protein of 3-methylcholanthrene or 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in H4IIEC3/T cells was characterized and quantitated by high performance gel filtration. Benz[a]anthracene and TCDD induced AHH and EROD activities, respectively, about 20-fold within 4 h. The increase was about 100-fold when cells were pretreated with DEX. The glucocorticoid alone induced P450IA1 activities 3-4 fold. DEX elicited half maximum AHH induction at a concentration of 20 nM in the presence or absence of benz[a]anthracene. Maximal potentiation of AHH induction required treatment with DEX for at least 32 h prior to the exposure to benz[a]anthracene. Treatment of H4IIEC3/T cells with DEX for 20 h caused a 2-3-fold increase in the amount of Ah receptor. The results suggest that the synergistic effect of DEX and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on P450IA1 induction involves a time-consuming process which may consist of the synthesis or modification of a factor, possibly the Ah receptor.

Enantioselective aliphatic hydroxylations of racemic 1-hydroxy-3-methylcholanthrene by rat liver microsomes

Enantiomeric pairs of 1-hydroxy-3-hydroxymethylcholanthrene (1-OH-3-OHMC), 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) trans- and cis-1,2-diols, and 1-hydroxy-3-methylcholanthrene (1-OH-3MC) were resolved by HPLC using a covalently bonded (R)-N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)phenylglycine chiral stationary phase (Pirkle type 1A) column. The absolute configuration of an enantiomeric 3MC trans-1,2-diol was established by the exciton chirality CD method following conversion to a bis-p-N,N-dimethylaminobenzoate. Incubation of an enantiomeric 1-OH-3MC with rat liver microsomes resulted in the formation of enantiomeric 3MC trans- and cis-1,2-diols; the absolute configurations of the enantiomeric 1-OH-3MC and 3MC cis-1,2-diol were established on the basis of the absolute configuration of an enantiomeric 3MC trans-1,2-diol. Absolute configurations of enantiomeric 1-OH-3-OHMC were determined by comparing their CD spectra with those of enantiomeric 1-OH-3MC. The relative amount of three aliphatic hydroxylation products formed by rat liver microsomal metabolism of racemic 1-OH-3MC was 1-OH-3-OHMC greater than 3MC cis-1,2-diol greater than 3MC trans-1,2-diol. Enzymatic hydroxylation at C2 of racemic 1-OH-3MC was enantioselective toward the 1S-enantiomer over the 1R-enantiomer (approximately 3/1); hydroxylation at the C3-methyl group was enantioselective toward the 1R-enantiomer over the 1S-enantiomer (approximately 58/42). Rat liver microsomal C2-hydroxylation of racemic 1-OH-3MC resulted in a 3MC trans-1,2-diol with a (1S,2S)/(1R,2R) ratio of 63/37 and a 3MC cis-1,2-diol with a (1S,2R)/(1R,2S) ratio of 12/88, respectively.

Bacterial mutagenicity of new cyclopenta-fused cata-annelated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and identification of the major metabolites of benz[j]acephenanthrylene formed by Aroclor-treated rat liver microsomes

Three novel cyclopenta-fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were synthesized, benz[d]aceanthrylene, benz[k]aceanthrylene, and benz[j]acephenanthrylene, and evaluated for mutagenic activity in the Ames Salmonella typhimurium plate incorporation assay. The two benzaceanthrylene derivatives were active at low S9 concentrations in strain TA98 (4 and 27 rev/nmole respectively), as had been predicted from the calculated delta Edeloc/beta values of the carbocations derived from opening of the cyclopenta-fused epoxide rings, but the majority of this mutagenicity appeared to be due to free-radical decomposition products of spontaneous endo-peroxide formation. These compounds were therefore not further investigated. Benz[j]acephenanthrylene was also an indirect-acting frameshift mutagen (8-12 rev/nmole in strain TA98), but unlike most of the previously assayed cyclopenta-fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exhibited no peak of activity at low S9 protein concentration. The principal metabolites formed from this compound by microsomes from Aroclor-treated rat liver were benz[j]acephenanthrylene-4,5-dihydro-4,5-diol (necessarily derived from hydration of benz[j]acephenanthrylene 4,5-oxide) and benz[j]acephenanthrylene-9,10-dihydro-9,10-diol (precursor to benz[j]acephenanthrylene-9,10-dihydrodiol 7,8-oxide, the bay-region diol-epoxide). Consideration of the reduced activity of this compound compared to the related structure chrysene, the S9 dependence curves, and the predicted delta Edeloc/beta values of the postulate active species, suggests that in contrast to most other cyclopenta-fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, bay-region diol-epoxide formation plays a greater role than epoxidation of the cyclopenta-fused ring in the metabolic activation of benz[j]acephenanthrylene.

Induction of drug-metabolizing enzymes in Gunn rat liver. Effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on cytochrome P-450 regulation

Response of congenitally jaundiced rats (Gunn rats) to administration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) was investigated and compared to that of Wistar rats. Unlike Wistar, Gunn males did not exhibit changes in the overall cytochrome P-450 content of hepatic microsomes. The first step in the induction process (i.e. presence of cytosolic receptors for PAH) was found present and functionally similar (number of sites, Kd) to that of Wistar rats from which the Gunn strain is derived. An increase in monooxygenase activities related to P-450c and P-450d isoenzymes specifically induced by PAH was noticed, whereas no effect could be detected on the glucuronidation rate of either 4-nitrophenol, testosterone or estrone. As determined by immunoquantification after Western blotting, the isoenzymatic profile of P-450 from PAH-treated male Gunn rats showed an increase of P-450c and P-450d accompanied by an equivalent decrease in P-4502c (major male-specific isoenzyme). The balance between increase in P-450c and P-450d and decrease in P-4502c may explain the absence of increase in the total P-450 in PAH-treated male Gunn rats. Such a response was not observed in PAH-treated male Wistar rats or in female rats of both strains. In contrast, the response of male Gunn rats to PB treatment was similar to that observed in Wistar rats, i.e. increase in overall cytochrome P-450 content of hepatic microsomes and of specific isoenzyme P-450b/e. A possible regulation of P-450 isoenzyme synthesis by the intracellular haem pool might be involved.

Modification of transplacental tumorigenesis by 3-methylcholanthrene in mice by genotype at the Ah locus and pretreatment with beta-naphthoflavone

Transplacental lung and liver tumorigenesis in the mouse by 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) was assessed as a function of inducibility of MC metabolism in fetus and in mother, and of pretreatment of the mothers with a noncarcinogenic inducer, beta-naphthoflavone (beta NF). Pregnant (C57BL/6 X DBA/2)F1 females (genotype Ahb Ahd, inducer responsive) mated to DBA/2 males received 45 or 100 mg/kg MC on gestation day 17, and DBA/2 females (genotype Ahd Ahd, nonresponsive) mated to F1 males were given 5 or 30 mg MC/kg. These crosses generated both responsive and nonresponsive offspring. Phenotype and tumor incidences were determined at 13 months of age. The transplacental action of MC was dose dependent and resulted in more lung and liver tumors in induction-responsive offspring than in nonresponsive littermates in most comparisons. beta NF alone did not result in increased numbers of tumors. Significant, complex effects were seen when the mothers were pretreated with beta NF (150 mg/kg) on gestation day 15, before MC on day 17. The beta NF pretreatment protected the fetuses of the F1 mothers: there was a significant overall 30 to 50% reduction in numbers of lung and liver tumors. The greatest effect was seen in the induction-responsive males, who experienced a 50% reduction in both incidence and multiplicity of lung tumors after 100 mg MC/kg, compared with males exposed to MC only. By contrast, beta NF pretreatment of DBA mothers had no general effect but rather potentiated the action of the 5 mg MC/kg dose on multiplicity of lung tumors in inducible males, causing a significant 4-fold increase. It also caused a 60% increase in inducible male liver tumor multiplicity when given before the 30 mg MC/kg dose. Thus, beta NF pretreatment was protective when the mother was inducible, especially in the inducible fetuses of such a mother, but when the mother was noninducible the beta NF pretreatment had no effect in some situations and potentiated the action of the carcinogen in others, mainly in inducible fetuses. These results underscore the fact that induced maternal and fetal metabolism contribute to risk of transplacental tumorigenesis by MC in qualitatively opposite ways.

Modulation of 3-methylcholanthrene toxicity in cultured neoplastic keratinocytes by glucocorticoids and retinoids is not accounted for by macromolecular adduct formation

3-Methylcholanthrene (3-MC) greatly inhibits the growth of two lines of human squamous carcinoma cells, SCC-9 and SCC-12B2. Exposure of the cells to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin alone was much less effective and, in the presence of 3-MC, did not alter the sensitivity (EC50 = 0.3 microM) or extent of growth inhibition by the latter. The degree of 3-MC-mediated inhibition, however, was markedly alleviated by inclusion of retinoic acid (EC50 greater than or equal to 0.7 microM) and hydrocortisone (EC50 = 40 nM) or dexamethasone (EC50 = 3 nM) in the culture medium. These physiological effectors, which are known to have opposing actions on keratinocyte character in SCC cells, did not significantly alter either aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity or macromolecular adduct formation. Further analysis of the cellular responses indicated that hydrocortisone and, in some experiments, retinoids increased the growth rate in 3-MC-exposed cultures, while 3-MC increased the saturation density in retinoic acid-exposed cultures, an example of interference with a physiological response of the cells. These results indicate that alteration of the differentiated state, regardless of the direction of the change, can alter the sensitivity of the cells to toxic stimuli. Further investigation of the bases of such toxic responses and their modulation by the microenvironment may enhance our understanding of the target cell specificity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Metabolic activation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to mutagens in the Ames test by various animal species including man

6 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were assayed for mutagenicity in the Ames test, in the presence of hepatic post-mitochondrial preparations isolated from the mouse, rat, hamster, pig and man. Benzo[a]pyrene, dibenzo[a,i]pyrene and benz[a]anthracene gave a positive mutagenic response only in the presence of activation systems derived from the hamster. With the exception of the pig, activation systems derived from all animal species could convert 3-methylcholanthrene to mutagens, the hamster being the most efficient. With the exception of the rat and pig, all animal species activated 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]-anthracene to mutagens, the human preparation being the most effective followed by the hamster and mouse. Dibenz[a,h]anthracene was not activated by any of the hepatic preparations. It is concluded that, among the animal species studied the hamster is generally the most efficient in activating polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to mutagens in the Ames test.

Metabolic activation of chemical carcinogens by hepatic preparations from streptozotocin-treated rats

The effect of insulin-dependent diabetes on the hepatic microsomal activation of chemical carcinogens to mutagenic intermediates in the Ames test was investigated in rats pretreated with streptozotocin. In order to discern between the effects of streptozotocin itself and that of the resulting diabetes, groups of streptozotocin-treated rats received either nicotinamide simultaneously with the diabetogenic agent to prevent the onset of diabetes or daily treatment with insulin in order to antagonise the effects of diabetes. The activation of two nitrosamines, nitrosopiperidine and nitrosopyrrolidine was markedly increased following treatment of the animals with streptozotocin, the effect being preventable by nicotinamide and effectively antagonised by insulin. A similar increase in mutagenic response was also seen when Glu-P-1, a carcinogen generated during the cooking of proteinaceous food, was employed as the mutagen. In contrast, the diabetic rats were less efficient than control animals in activating the aromatic amine 2-aminofluorene to mutagenic intermediates. Concomitant administration of nicotinamide with streptozotocin prevented the decrease in mutagenicity, and daily treatment of diabetic rats with insulin partially restored mutagenic response to control levels. Streptozotocin-induced diabetes had no effect on the mutagenicity of 4-aminobiphenyl and the two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzo(a)pyrene and 3-methylcholanthrene. The present findings clearly illustrate that diabetes modulates the metabolic activation of carcinogenic chemicals, the effect being dependent on the nature of the carcinogen.

Metabolism of 3-methylcholanthrene in rat liver cytosol

The present study investigates the metabolism of the potent carcinogen 3-methylcholanthrene in rat liver cytosol preparations. Three metabolites of 3-methylcholanthrene were characterized by HPLC and GC/MS analysis. These metabolites were identified as 1-hydroxy-3-methylcholanthrene, 1-keto-3-methylcholanthrene and cholanthrene. The results of the present study, taken together with earlier studies, suggests that the first step in the metabolic activation of 3-methylcholanthrene is hydroxylation at the 1-position, the most easily oxidized reactive center in the molecule.

Characterization of the Ah receptor and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase induction by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and benz(a)anthracene in the human A431 squamous cell carcinoma line

Certain human cell lines previously have been shown to exhibit substantial induction of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH, cytochrome P450IA1) when treated in culture with aromatic hydrocarbons such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) or benz(a)anthracene. Yet the Ah receptor, which is known to mediate the AHH induction process in rodent cells and tissues, has not previously appeared to be present at a significant level in any human cell line. In the human A431 squamous cell carcinoma line we found that cytosolic Ah receptor was present in high concentration (approximately 200 fmol/mg cytosol protein at maximal saturation); this corresponds to approximately 10,000 Ah receptor sites per cell in the human A431 line compared with about 35,000 receptor sites per cell in the mouse Hepa-1 hepatoma cell line in which Ah receptor previously has been extensively characterized. Detection of Ah receptor in A431 cytosol required modification of assay techniques, especially reduction in the amount of charcoal used to adsorb nonspecifically bound radioligand. The specific binding peak from A431 cytosol sedimented approximately 9S on sucrose gradients, the same as the cytosolic receptor from the well-characterized mouse Hepa-1 hepatoma cell line. In addition to [3H]TCDD, specific binding to Ah receptor in A431 cytosol also was detected with [3H]3-methylcholanthrene and with [3H]benzo(a)pyrene as radioligands. A specific [3H]TCDD-Ah receptor complex was extracted from nuclei of A431 cells incubated in culture at 37 degrees C with [3H]TCDD. The nuclear form of Ah receptor sedimented approximately 5S, the same as the nuclear receptor from mouse Hepa-1 cells. AHH activity was induced in A431 cells treated in culture with TCDD or benz(a)anthracene. The maximum level of induced AHH activity that could be achieved in A431 cells was about 20% of the maximally induced level in the mouse Hepa-1 cell line. However, the dose-response curves for AHH induction by TCDD or benz(alpha)anthracene in A431 cells were shifted about one log unit to the right of the curves for Hepa-1 cells. The lower sensitivity of A431 cells to AHH inducers was in proportion to the lower affinity with which cytosolic Ah receptor in A431 cells bound [3H]TCDD. The saturation curve for binding of [3H]TCDD to cytosolic Ah receptor in A431 cells also was shifted about one log unit to the right of the curve for saturation of the cytosolic receptor from mouse Hepa-1 cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effect of 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol on the induction of cytochrome P-450 by 3-methylcholanthrene in cultured chick embryo hepatocytes

This study investigated the effects of estrogens on the induction of cytochrome P-450 by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in primary cultures of chick embryo hepatocytes. Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as 3-methylcholanthrene led to 2- to 3-fold increases of cytochrome P-450. The amount of cytochrome P-450 induced by 3-methylcholanthrene was increased 40-50% when the synthetic estrogen, 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol, was also present. The rate of decay of cytochrome P-450 in the presence of cycloheximide as measured spectrophotometrically was similar in cells previously treated with either 3-methylcholanthrene or 3-methylcholanthrene plus 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol, suggesting that 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol did not affect the stability of the 3-methylcholanthrene-induced cytochrome P-450. In contrast, 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol did not potentiate the induction of cytochrome P-450 by phenobarbital-like inducers, such as 2-propyl-2-isopropylacetamide, as indicated by a lack of increase in both the content of cytochrome P-450 and benzphetamine demethylase activity. The naturally occurring estrogens, 17 beta-estradiol and estrone, and the synthetic estrogen, diethylstilbestrol, did not affect cytochrome P-450 induction by 3-methylcholanthrene, suggesting that the effect of 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol was not mediated via the estrogen receptor. We investigated whether the amount of cytochrome P-450 increased in the presence of 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol was the same or different from that induced by 3-methylcholanthrene. Treatment with 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol alone resulted in a small increase in ethoxyresorufin deethylase activity. The enzymatic activities of 7-ethoxyresorufin and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, when expressed per cytochrome P-450 content, were identical in microsomes from cells treated with either 3-methylcholanthrene or the combination of 3-methylcholanthrene and 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol. The data suggest that the additional cytochrome P-450 induced by the combination of 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol and 3-methylcholanthrene was the same isozyme as that induced by 3-methylcholanthrene alone.

Metabolism of benz[j]aceanthrylene (cholanthrylene) and benz[l]aceanthrylene by induced rat liver S9

The metabolites of benz[j]aceanthrylene (B[j]A) produced by incubation with liver S9 proteins from rats induced with Aroclor-1254 and phenobarbital have been identified as: trans-B[j]A-1,2-dihydrodiol, B[j]A-9,10-dihydrodiol, B[j]A-11,12-dihydrodiol, and 10-hydroxy-B[j]A. The major metabolite formed (58-60%) by both induced S9 preparations was trans-B[j]A-1,2-dihydrodiol, the cyclopenta-ring dihydrodiol while oxidation at the k-region or the proximal-bay region was minor. There were no statistical differences in individual or total B[j]A metabolite rates between the 2 induced S9 preparations. B[l]A was metabolized by Aroclor-1254 and phenobarbital induced rat liver S9 preparations to trans-B[l]A-1,2-dihydrodiol, B[l]A-7,8-dihydrodiol, and B[l]A-4,5-dihydrodiol. The major B[l]A metabolite formed (28-40%) by both induced S9 preparations was B[l]A-7,8-dihydrodiol, the k-region dihydrodiol. Cyclopenta-ring oxidation to trans-B[l]A-1,2-dihydrodiol was approximately 50% of that observed for k-region oxidation. Both induced S9s produced similar rates of B[l]A metabolites except for B[l]A-7,8-dihydrodiol formation which was higher for Aroclor-1254-induced S9.

Tumor-initiating activity in mouse skin and carcinogenicity in rat mammary gland of fluorinated derivatives of benzo[a]pyrene and 3-methylcholanthrene

Comparative studies of tumor-initiating activity in mouse skin and carcinogenicity in rat mammary gland were conducted with benzo[a]pyrene (BP) and 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) derivatives. SENCAR mice were initiated with BP, 6-fluorobenzo[a]pyrene (6-FBP), 6-methylBP, 7-FBP, 8-FBP, 9-FBP, 10-FBP, or 10-azaBP and promoted with tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate. The same compounds plus BP 7,8-dihydrodiol were tested by intramammillary injection in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Tumor-initiating activity in mice and/or carcinogenicity in rats were observed for BP, 6-methylBP, 6-, 7-, 8-, and 10-FBP, whereas 9-FBP was inactive in both experiments and 10-azaBP was only marginally active in the mammary gland. BP 7,8-dihydrodiol was carcinogenic in rat mammary gland, although it was less potent than BP. MC, 8-FMC, 10-FMC, and 3-methylcholanthrylene were also tested in Sprague-Dawley rats by intramammillary injection. All compounds were carcinogenic, with MC displaying the most potent activity. The less potent carcinogenic activity of BP 7,8-dihydrodiol in the mammary gland, compared with BP, and the moderate-to-weak tumor-initiating and/or carcinogenic activity of 7-, 8-, and 10-FBP suggest that the bay-region diol-epoxide pathway does not play a significant role in the activation of BP in these two target tissues. Similarly, the carcinogenic activity of 8-FMC and 10-FMC, in which the bay-region diol-epoxide pathway is blocked, suggests that this mechanism of activation is not important in the carcinogenicity of MC in rat mammary gland.

Immunohistochemical determination of inducibility phenotype with a monoclonal antibody to a methylcholanthrene-inducible isozyme of cytochrome P-450

A monoclonal antibody (MAb) to a methylcholanthrene (MC)-induced cytochrome P-450, designated MAb 1-7-1, was used for immunohistochemical staining of formalin-fixed tissues from oil- and MC-treated C57BL/6, DBA/2, and [(C57BL/6 X DBA/2) F1 X DBA/2] F2 mice. An avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex immunohistochemical technique was used. For controls, the tissues were also exposed to MAbs 1-48-5 and HyHel-9 (to egg white lysozyme). In liver, MAb 1-7-1 specifically stained the cytoplasm of centrilobular hepatocytes of C57BL/6 mice treated with MC (80 mg/kg) 48 h before kill; staining was not observed with vehicle-treated C57BL/6 mice, with oil- or MC-treated DBA/2 mice, or with comparable antibody concentrations of control MAbs 1-48-5 or HyHel-9. In the F2 mice, about 50% were expected to be MC inducible (AhbAhd). Inducibility phenotype was determined by measuring the conversion of [14C]MC to oxidized and conjugated products by liver homogenates. In freshly fixed material from MC-treated mice, those livers shown by the determination of phenotype to be inducible also stained with MAb 1-7-1, whereas those not induced were immunohistochemically negative. Furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation between degree of staining and the level of MC-metabolizing activity measured biochemically. The immunohistochemical procedure was also accurate in determination of inducibility phenotype of livers that had been in paraffin blocks for up to 2 yr if more concentrated antibody was used. In lung, MAb 1-7-1 stained specifically the alveolar walls and endothelium of blood vessels in MC-induced C57BL/6 mice only; the control MAbs and other mice gave negative results. Similarly, in kidney MAb 1-7-1 stained only glomeruli and interstitial tissue of MC-induced C57BL/6 mice and only endothelium of blood vessels in the colons of these mice. These observations are consistent with induction of the cytochrome P-450 recognized by MAb 1-7-1 in the endothelial cells of extrahepatic tissue. Immunohistochemical staining with MAb thus shows great promise for highly specific localization of particular species of cytochromes P-450 in tissues, for in situ quantification of these enzymes, and for determination of inducibility phenotype with fixed material.

Ah receptor in human placenta: stabilization by molybdate and characterization of binding of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, 3-methylcholanthrene, and benzo(a)pyrene

Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH, cytochrome P1-450) is highly inducible in several human cells and tissues exposed to specific halogenated and nonhalogenated aromatic chemicals of the "3-methylcholanthrene-type." In laboratory animals AHH induction is known to be regulated by binding of inducers to the Ah receptor, a soluble intracellular protein. However, the induction mechanism in the human species is incompletely understood largely because the Ah receptor, which seems to be essential to the induction process, has not previously been detectable in certain human cells and tissues (including placenta) that are highly responsive to AHH induction. We found that human placenta contains high concentrations of Ah receptor (comparable to the receptor concentrations in rat and mouse liver) but that special modifications were necessary in the assay techniques in order to detect and accurately quantitate receptor binding. Receptor was detected at concentrations approximately equal to 100 fmol/mg cytosol protein using [3H]2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) as the radioligand. This high concentration of specific binding sites was present only if the placental tissue was initially homogenized in a buffer containing sodium molybdate (10 or 20 mM). Without molybdate in the homogenizing buffer, specific [3H]TCDD binding was only about 35 fmol/mg. Specific Ah receptor binding also was detectable with [3H]-3-methylcholanthrene and, to a lesser extent, with [3H]-benzo(alpha)pyrene. The receptor sedimented near 9S on sucrose gradients whether molybdate was present or not. About 80% of specific binding was lost if excessive charcoal was used to adsorb "nonspecifically bound" ligand from cytosol prior to gradient analyses. The apparent affinity with which [3H]TCDD bound to Ah receptor in human placental cytosol was relatively low (apparent Kd approximately equal to 5 to 8 nM) when compared with the affinity of [3H]TCDD binding in rat or mouse hepatic cytosols (Kd approximately equal to 1 to 3 nM). These data suggest that while molybdate has very little effect on the quantity or molecular size of the rodent Ah receptor assay, it is very important in stabilizing the human Ah receptor. Our experiments demonstrate that human placenta contains a high concentration of Ah receptor and suggest that AHH induction in placenta is mediated through a receptor mechanism analogous to that previously established in tissues and cells from laboratory animals.

Mutagenicity of rat-liver S9 to L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells

Rat-liver S9 preparations became highly mutagenic to cultured L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells when the exposure period was increased to 18-24 h or when S9 mix was preincubated in Fischer's medium at 37 degrees C for 19 h and then used to treat the cells for 4 h. Five different S9 preparations (from untreated and Aroclor 1254-treated Fischer 344 or Sprague-Dawley male rats) behaved similarly. S9 mix, which contained 1 mM NADP and 5 mM isocitrate as cofactors, was more mutagenic than S9 alone. Heat treatment of S9 did not destroy its mutagenic activity, but the addition of cofactors no longer stimulated an increase in mutagenicity, as observed with native S9. Treatment with cofactors was not mutagenic. These results implied the involvement of both energy-independent and NADPH-dependent enzymatic changes in S9 mix in producing mutagenic substances. The mutagenic treatments with S9 or S9 mix induced predominantly small TFT-resistant mutant colonies, which suggested that these treatments should be clastogenic to cultured mammalian cells. A warning was given that test chemicals evaluated as mutagenic only in the presence of S9 mix may instead be accelerating the decomposition of S9 mix into mutagens, and it may become necessary to experimentally distinguish between these two mechanisms before a chemical can be regarded as mutagenic.

Purification and photoaffinity labelling of a rat cytosolic binding protein specific for 3-methylcholanthrene

Rat hepatic cytosolic proteins which sediment at 4-5 S on sucrose gradients exhibit high-affinity saturable binding for the carcinogen 3-methylcholanthrene. A rat liver protein of Stokes' radius 3 nm, Mr by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis of 39,000 and with specific 3-methylcholanthrene-binding activity sedimenting at 4.5 S, has been purified 315-fold to apparent homogeneity by using affinity chromatography on a column of 1-hydroxy-3-methylcholanthrene coupled to epoxy-activated Sepharose 6B, in conjunction with two gel-filtration steps. The protein purified by this technique was shown to be associated with the observed specific 3-methylcholanthrene-binding activity by photoaffinity labelling with 1-oxo-3-methylcholanthrene.

Selenium inhibition of benzo[a]pyrene, 3-methylcholanthrene, and 3-methylcholanthrylene mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100

Selenium (Se) decreased the mutagenicity of benzo[a]pyrene (BP), 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC), and 3-methylcholanthrylene (3MCE) in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100. Metabolism of BP, 3MC and 3MCE to mutagens was accomplished with the liver S9 fraction from Aroclor 1254-treated male Sprague-Dawley rats. Exposure of the bacteria to 4 nmoles BP, 10 nmoles 3MC, or 10 nmoles 3MCE in the presence of S9, and up to 200 nmoles Se as Na2SeO3 resulted in decreased mutagenicities up to 39, 66 and 60% of their respective control activities without Se in TA98 and up to 46, 52 and 64% of their respective control activities without Se in TA100. Se (200 nmoles) alone was not mutagenic in strains TA98 or TA100 with or without S9. BP, 3MC and 3MCE were not mutagenic in either strain without S9. None of the tested concentrations of BP, 3MC, 3MCE and Se were cytotoxic. Assays of the aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity in the S9 preparation revealed decreased AHH activity with increase in Se concentration. The decreased mutagenicity and AHH activity were Se (as Na2SeO3) dependent and could not be duplicated by sulfur (S as Na2SO3). Inhibition of AHH activity by Se provides an explanation of the mechanism of Se inhibition of BP, 3MC and 3MCE mutagenicities in S. typhimurium TA98 and TA100.

[Factors regulating mono-oxygenase induction by phenobarbital xenobiotics]

The main nongenetic factors are revealed which regulate the catalytic activity and substrate specificity of microsomal monooxygenases preinduced by phenobarbital-type xenobiotics (barbituric acid and pyrazolone derivatives). It is shown that a blockage of the primary microsomal metabolism of an inducer is the obligate condition for its inductive effect on the content and activity of cytochrome P-450. On this basis it is practicable to convert the typical monooxygenase substrates into inducers of the enzyme biosynthesis by the blockage of the molecule site subjected to monooxygenation. A model is suggested which shows the phenobarbital participation in the formation of the specific configuration of the active site of cytochrome P-450 synthesized; the latter catalyzes the oxidation of a number of substrates by the way typical of inducer itself.